Anxiety Attack while Exercising?

[xanaxed]

Have any of you experienced an anxiety attack while exercising?
Lately while i've been running, I start getting shortness of breath and it feels like i cant quite catch my breath, then I'll need to slow down and when i do i experience a panic attack.  I've been exercising on a regular basis for about 2 years now and only recently i've been experiencing this.  I've had anxiety attacks for about 2 years also.  Has this also happened to anybody??

[FX200]

A panic attack while exercising usually occurs when pushing your body into its oxygen debt phase. What you feel is that it becomes significantly harder to breathe your throat may dry up and you feel as if you can't get your breath back or that your lungs won't allow you to absorb the oxygen you need back into your lungs fast enough.
Most people know what I'm on about because like me they've experienced it.
The thing you have to understand is that your anxiety can only get so intense.
But then it has to come down again.
Be comfortable in the knowledge that your anxiety WILL come down it has a ceiling that it is limited by.
As the saying goes What goes up must come down.
It's very much a law there is nothing to fear.

Now in case your wondering I'm 52 years old I can still exercise hard but let me tell you there's a rising hill that is about 500 meters long that I ride my bicycle onto and I pedal it until I can hardly breathe.

But I do it in the knowledge that there is it will come to an end
But remember that even though my brain knows that I have finished my body must continue to breathe until it reaches its ceiling and once it has reached it
Down it goes.

Knowledge is power hope this helps you.

[Anne_123]

What is the treatment for this condition?

[Anne_123]

Did you ever find the cause of your anxiety? I'm getting medically tested because I am going through the same thing and my doctor may think its cortisol levels or adrenals... Curious to see if you found a solution since your experience was so similar to mine

[ArdenPhil]

hello Danny225, me myself also experienced panic attacks only this past few months. I've been on an ECG test and it went normal. So i was diagnosed with anxiety disorder or panic attacks. There is a pounding heartbeat, breathlessness and shaking feeling. Do you feel it too? Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin C is really a big help for releasing stress naturally. I drink Suncoast AntiStress VitWater. I feel it can help because of its B complex that controls stress.
But the very best thing is to pray. to Trust the Lord Jesus. Meditate.

[tom_h]

....sorry, one more thing.  This is most of the time a "concealed condition" meaning that if an EKG is performed on you when your heart is beating normally, the test will show absolutely nothing wrong with the heart.  This is why people with this condition often get diagnosed as having anxiety or panic issues.

[tom_h]

I frequent the Heart Rhythm forum most of the time, but was here looking at something for my wife.  Over there, we get a lot of questions from folks who aren't sure if what they're experiencing is  a panic attack, or something heart related.  A rather common cardiac issue that can be confused with anxiety or panic attack is Supraventricular Tachycardia.  This relatively common, mostly benign heart issue manifests itself as a sudden and oft times startling increase in heart rate.  A person can at rest have their rate suddenly and abruptly jump from a resting pulse of 72 to over 200 and beyond in one beat.  When one is exercising, or otherwise under heavy physical output and sinus HR is high, the heart can go into SVT and it's sometime difficult to tell.  In younger people, "SVT" as it's known often occurs during physical stress or high physical output like aerobic activity, basketball, spinning, etc.  A telltale symptom of SVT is this dull achiness in the chest and a heart-in-the-throat kind of feeling.  This is not a rare condition and many people mistake it for a panic attack.  If you stop the physical activity, the heart does not respond by slowing down, but instead remains at this incredibly high rate.  An episode of SVT ends as abruptly as it starts, and this is a hallmark of the problem.  My suggestion to those that experience this panic feeling is to stop what they're doing and listen to their body.  People will often say, "I didn't feel like I was anxious before it started".  It is though quite common to feel anxious once it begins.  So I'd say to those that encounter this thread as I did to make a judgement call on themselves as to whether they are experiencing an anxiety or panic attack, or are in fact having an episode of SVT.  Treatment for the two are completely different, and you don't want to get led down the wrong path.

[hhj1970]

i am not sure if i'm having either but i get anxious when i'm doing cardio like 30 to 40 mins. in i start to just feel anxious.  I had a vertgo experience in the gym in 2005 and it was really life altering and scary, come to find out it was vertigo and vestbular neuronitis, the most scariest thing i have ever gone thru, i felt that it was behind me, but i am nto sure if i'm over-exerting myself and confusing that w/the onset of vertigo or what the deal is, it's occurring more & more and i don't want to stop working out, what do i do?? i asked my doctor for anxiety meds. she gave me dizziness pills and something to help me relax near bedtime; but i don't want to be dependent on those.  

[Tommy2015]

Working out is so weird for me and here is why. What happens to you, happens to me as well but with mine there is an extra kick to it. I work out like for example ride the bike for 100 minutes and stop, then go lift weights for 15 mins only but non-stop. I wash my hands and walk home from the gym at my complex. As I am walking my heart goes faster then it was when I was putting a "DEMAND" on my heart physically. So if my heart rate was 100 to 135 bpm, now it's 135 to 185 bpm. I go home and check my BP and heart rate with a very accurate machine I purchased and checked it with my doctors BP machine and they were the same. So my heart one hour later is still in the 90's to 100. Though that is normal, it is not normal for me. I take one Atenolol 25mg every night at 10:00pm for sinus tachycardia due to panic attacks, palpitations and I was waking up with very heart beats from dreams or eating before going to bed. Anyway, bottom line is that when we work out the heart is asked to do more than just relax. A huge demand is put on it and of course the lungs kick in and you breath more, oxygen levels increase and the feel good hormone is supposed to come out and give you a "natural high" and we are designed to feel good because of this good hormone being released. Though it does happen to millions of people, there are some of us that also get Cortisol ( stress hormone ) and adrenaline released which triggers fast heart beats, sweating more and feelings of lightheadedness or spinning feeling. While our bodies are in motion even if it's not a strenuous workout, we also "ADD" fear or 2nd fear to it by having conscious or subconscious thoughts of many "what if's". What if I pass out? What if I die? Why is my chest hurting? Is this a real heart attack? Who would help me and save me should I be in big trouble? Will they call for an ambulance? Am I going to meet my maker? Why do I have to leave this planet and everyone behind? Where am I going next after this? Who will be there? This *****!! And on and on and on........the list is very long and some people just think and think and over think which causes more stress hormones to be released and our workouts turn out to be a disaster as some of the feelings of working out mimic anxiety and or panic attack feelings. That's just my opinion.  

[Nic845]

The same exact thing is happening to me!

[Nic845]

Hey everyone! I also have panic attacks while working out and it's def scary!  Here's what I ask myself to calm myself down.."would I be feeling this way if I were down my basement?" If the answer is no, as it always is, I remind myself that it's just a panic attack.  People having an actual heart attack won't care where they are, they're in pain and want help. These simple self-talk techniques can help stop your attacks!  

[dyelongjustice]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I'm 27, going to Grad School, just got married, and just bought my first place. I've had anxiety before (when I was 20), but it's been very manageable up until the past 3 months. I've worked out 5x/week since I was 16, but in the last 2 years, my workouts just haven't been the same. Since having these worsened panic attacks, I have occasional panic attacks while working out, mostly when I lift weights, but occasionally when I run as well. My breathing changes a lot when I'm nervous or if I'm lifting, which is why I think I'm getting anxious symptoms. I usually feel light headed or "off", my heart pounds a little harder or fast, occasionally I get a weird tingle sensation in my hands, my hands sweat, and I can't stay still.

What ***** is that I feel like my workouts are suffering. I used to run 6 miles with no problems, and now most of the time I run a few miles, then walk the rest. Working out used to make me feel great, but now it just makes me wish I could workout hard again. I also have a fear that not being able to work out like I used to is going to lead to me getting out of shape. They always tell you to workout if you have anxiety, but what do you do if you have already been working out?

Lately I've been working on focusing on my breathing, positive thinking, and accepting that I'm going to have weird a$% symptoms. It has been helping some for sure, but I just wish all my symptoms would go away now! It's good to know that other people are in the same boat.

[millerclan1972]

I'm glad I found this site as well. I've been fighting this for several years. I've had a stress test, a nuclear stress test and a heart cath. All came back negative and the cardiologist stated I had less than 15% blockage and the heart of a 15 year old. I was 38 when this came to an unbearable breaking point.

Stange thing is I'm an ex-triathlete but still very active cycling, lifting weights, surfing, etc.

I still get them. I'm not sure what everybody's intake of alcohol is on this form but i'm starting to research "acute alcohol withdrawal". I don't drink much through the week and I train two times a day. However once Friday comes, I can tend to put it down. I'm going to take the advice of an earlier post and realy watch my electrolytes.

I have noticed that it comes on when I am 95% of my Max HR for more than 30 seconds. I've just realy dialed back my work out to 80%-85%. It doesn't always feel that I'm pushing as hard as I can but as we age (I'm 41 now) it might be a reality of life for those of us who fight this daily.

All the best to all on this post. Keep sharing any success stories.

[runnergirl_jls]

I'm so glad I found this thread. I've had a history of panic attacks for the past 5 years or so. I haven't had any issues whatsoever in the past 2 years. However, in the past month or so my anxiety has been absolutely horrible. I'm working full time and going to grad school, and lately I've just been completely stressed out. I had my first panic attack in years at a grocery store, and since, I'm having one almost every day. It is especially worse when I begin exercising. I'm 25, female, extremely fit, I've ran 4 full marathons in the past 3 years, completed numerous triathlons, work out rigoursly on a daily basis, and although I haven't had any cardio tests, I'm pretty sure if my body has endured those events without any issues that I'm fine. However, lately, about 5 to 10 minutes into any type of exercise I feel like I can't breathe, my heart starts racing, and I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. I keep telling myself that it's just anxiety, and try and talk myself out it but I still have this ridiculous fear that something awful is going to happen. Lately, I run a mile or 2 (normally I run on average 5-10 miles per day, with longer runs on the weekends) and walk the rest of the way back home. I just want to get back to my normal life. For me running is a release and a way of escaping all the stress in my daily life and the fact that I keep having panic attacks during my runs is driving me crazy! I have a 20 mile race this weekend and I'm considering not doing it because I'm afraid it's going to happen while I'm out on the course. Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated! :)

[Tan714]

yes atherton93 there something call a stress test

[dalep1981]

Thanks everyone, your comments have helped shed some light onto what has been happening with my body lately.  I'm a personal trainer and I consider myself to be pretty fit, constantly pushing my body to the limit during training.

I've just started kickboxing, as a new challenge, which I've found to be very high intensity, with very short rest intervals between workouts.  During yesterdays session I had what i think might have been an anxiety attack.  I had just finished a round of boxing, followed by ten burpees and then I felt a very overwhelming feeling, shortness of breath, light headiness and it felt like the room around me was getting smaller.  I rushed to the bathroom and spent the next 5 minutes getting my breathing under control at which point I calmed down and felt a bit better.
I returned to boxing a couple of minutes later, which was a mistake as I didn't realise but my body had tensed up during the attack.  The next uppercut I threw gave me a short shart pain through the upper elbow.  Think i've strained my bicep tendon as a result.

I'm not entirely sure what brought on this attack.  Very unusual for me.  The only thing i can think of that I did out of the norm, was to take a supplement (L-Carnitine) about 45 minutes prior to my training session.  L-carnitine is used as a fat buringing agent and an enerygy booster. I'll have to have a bit more of a read, but i'm not certain that this was the main contributor.

[shortone39]

Thank God I found this. I've been suffering from anxiety for several years now and I didn't think it was asthma. I've been running for field hockey and everytime I start hyperventilating and can never catch my breath. I really don't know what to do.

[atherton93]

I've been told by my GP that I have anxiety and I mainly have panic attacks when exercising. Even the simplest of tasks such as walking a long distance or mowing the lawn causes me to go dizzy and breathless (just like a panic attack) and so I'm scared to do any vigorous exercise such as running. I'm 20 years old and other than exercise have a healthy lifestyle (diet etc). Even though I've had an ECG test and a 24-hour blood pressure monitor test I still believe that going for a job or playing soccer will lead to having a heart attack. Is there any way I can get a heart test done whilst exercising to put my fears at rest?

Thanks

[brainskars]

Ive just experienced this now at the gym. I was working back and after my sets I started getting dizzy. The dizzyness grew into a slight blindness and reached a peak and vanished (which normally happens but not this bad) I obligated myself to stop and take a breather after my right ear plugged up for some reason. Then it happened. I felt as if my heart stopped and I was going to really pass out I actually thought to myself this is it. But my heart then started to race wich made my panick/anxiety even worse. I started to tell a trainer at the gym then it faded away. But it had to be the most horrid thing thats happened to me in a long time

[dryfork]

Yep, same thing has been happening to me.   I've beat it before, and I'll just have to again.  All of this is mental, the physiological symptoms we are feeling is hyperventilation.  It *****, but all of us can beat this!!

[kimberly826]

I have this happen to me too.  Although I can control it if I stop running. I walk for a bit and remind myself excercise is good for the mind and won't hurt me.  Its never a full blown panic attack, but I can relate.  Walk it off is my advice!  Then continue your run!  I also sometimes cry while I run.  Don't know why but it makes me feel better when I do! Running helps me so much I wouldn't stop because of those minor things!  

[ccarr007]

Danny, I had my first panic attack while driving from Texas to Seattle, Washington.  It scared me because I thought I was having a heart attack.  After numerous cardio tests I was told I have a 2% chance of having a heart attack in the next ten years.  I have changed my diet and stay away from caffeine and processed foods.  I also gained almost 30 lbs since, because I would have anxiety attacks when I exerted myself so exercising became an issue.  I researched cures for anxiety and the one thing that kept coming up was exercise.  I have been at it for 2 months now, have lost 8 lbs and ran for 5 minutes for the first time in a long time.  I feel great.  I can feel when I start feeling anxious so I'll so down, catch my breathe, and remind myself I am calm, I am safe, I am at ease, I am at peace.  A little trick I learned in a Mindfullness Stress Reduction class.  Google it, it has done wonders for me.  Start slowly when you get back at it.  I started taking my son on walks around the block, then added another, I walk for 45 minutes now and no stress.  I am glad I looked this up to find i am not alone.  You are not alone either Danny.  Exercise does help reduce stress and releases endorphines that make us feel better about ourselves.  Plus when you see that weight coming off your sefl esteem will go through the roof giving you more confidence and motivation to keep at it.  Good luck and don't let this beat you.  You are safe, calm, at ease, at peace.

[rideod]

Thank you so much to everyone who posted. This is exactly what I was looking for this evening. I have started running regularly in the past six months and do fine most of the time. However, a week before my menstrual cycle (sorry guys) last month and this month, I experienced what I can only call internal tremors. It's like I'm about to have a major panic attack (which I have had and currently take some medication for to manage the anxiety)...my insides feel the adrenaline rush as if I've narrowly missed a big car wreck. I don't tremble externally, but it feels like my insides are, for sure.  My runs really suffer as a result and I get very frustrated with myself.  Thank you all for your replies and thank you to xanaxed who asked this almost six year ago! :)

[bigmattee]

I'm a 40 year old male and fit as a fiddle. I've been running all my life. I've been running the same route for nearly a year now. After a couple of miles there is a steep hill that climbs for about 100 metres, needless to say by the top you are breathing quite hard. Last night I did the same run as usual, got to the top of the hill and my mind decided that, on this occasion, the normal shortness of breath was my throat closing up and that I was having some sort of respiratory attack! I stopped, whipped off my headphones, and stood there wondering what the hell was happening to me, trying to quell the rising panic. Then I realised the whole thing was a panic attack. It scared the hell out of me. I tried hard to be rational, but it was not easy to take back control and I had to walk very slowly back home!

Looking back, I think the following may have contributed to cause:

I don't think I left enough time after dinner before run
I left the house in a rush
Had a disagreement with someone just before leaving
The weather was warm for UK
Body and mind are quite stressed by top of that hill
The climb in altitude plus warm weather may have changed air slightly
Have been used to a colder air, giving a "fresher" feeling in throat
Just before attack I was trying to close mouth and breathe through nose
Had more coffee than normal that day

On the walk back, symptoms disappeared when distracted by music or people, and returned if the mind was allowed to have the thoughts again. I'm very glad to see that I'm not alone in this experience.

[dejavudu]

I understand exactly what you're feeling. I've struggled with anxiety for at least 12 years but exercise was always a big help. Recently though while spinning I've started to feel my heart racing and also feeling shortness of breath while experiencing this overwhelming feeling of losing control and just wanting to cry. It's very disturbing because intense cardio like rinning or spinning have always been such a refuge and would have the opposite effect releasing stress and allowing me to feel calm again. Anyway I understand . It's great that you have your husband to support you. I could sure use some support from my girlfriend but she just sees anxiety as weakness and thinks I should just snap out of it.

Since i used to work with my mother and her psychiatrist adjusting and changing meds w various side effects plus 1 unsuccessful attempt w Remeron I've been afraid to go the meds route. Is it working for you? Which one?

Take care.